Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins (2024)

Lando Norris says McLaren's decision to prioritise him in the F1 title race doesn't mean his team-mate Oscar Piastri will give up race wins in the final eight events of the season.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella revealed ahead of this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix that the team will back Norris in the title race, as the British driver is 62 points behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers' Championship, having taken points out of his rival at the last two races in Zandvoort and Monza.

Norris finished third at the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago, but his chances of victory were compromised by Piastri overtaking him at the second chicane on the opening lap, seeing Norris drop to third behind eventual winner Charles Leclerc.

"I think the main thing is we came out of Turn Four in first and third and had the biggest gap in the world going into the corner," said Norris, who admitted he was surprised my Piastri's move at Monza.

"So it wasn't an ideal point in my world, but also as a team. It's not how we should have gone racing there. I think clearer instructions of how we can race each other has been cleared up."

Trending

  • Ten Hag responds to Ronaldo: He is far away from Manchester
  • Transfer Centre LIVE! Ronaldo questions Ten Hag, calls for Man Utd rebuild
  • Man Utd latest: Ten Hag talks Ronaldo, Ugarte debut and injury news
  • Leach wicket sparks wild celebrations as Somerset win in EPIC finish against Surrey
  • Man City's 115 charges: Hearing to begin next week
  • Bentancur charged by FA over Son comments in TV interview
  • Premier League build-up: Vote on the ultimate 'Barclaysman'!
  • Five-phase plan, job title change, Edu bond - How Arteta changed Arsenal
  • Warren: It would be hard for AJ to come back from crushing loss to Dubois
  • Postecoglou's 'free-flowing' football can threaten Arsenal
  • Watch
  • Latest News

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins (1)

Norris was asked if he was running in second place behind Piastri in first, that his team-mate would "probably not" be expected to give him the win and gave a clear "no" when further asked if Piastri would be handing him victories.

"In general, [the new rules are] probably for lower positions but if he's fought for a win and deserving of a win, then he deserves to win," he added.

Also See:

  • Stream Sky Sports on NOW

  • When to watch Azerbaijan GP on Sky Sports
  • Listen to the Sky F1 podcast
  • F1 in 2024: The full race schedule

Red Bull's recent struggles means a title shot is not unrealistic for Norris and McLaren are widely seen as favourites in the Constructors' Championship as they are just eight points behind Red Bull, with momentum on their side.

Stella says the team don't want to compromise McLaren's principles, even with the new rules.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins (2)

"What we don't want to see any more is a situation like in Monza in which we enter a chicane P1/P2 and we exit P1/P3. Because that is a detriment to the team," Stella told BBC Sport.

"The team interests comes first and these are the situations that above all we need to fix because eventually, as a matter of fact, the way we entered the race in Monza left the door open this situation.

"After Monza, three objectives: we need to make sure that anything that happens on track is not to the detriment of the team.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins (3)

"Second objective: how do we win both championships, both drivers committed to help? But what we don't want to do is win in a reckless way.

"Those are the three topics and they define the way we go racing in Baku. This will be updated after Baku."

Datawrapper This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Datawrapper cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Datawrapper cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once

Piastri: More talks needed about one-two scenario

The first McLaren team orders sticking point came when Norris gave up the win earlier this year at the Hungarian Grand Prix, having undercut Piastri during the final pit stop phase.

He was told repeatedly to play the team game and slowed down with three laps to go, so Piastri won his maiden F1 race, albeit the move divided opinion.

Piastri is fourth in the driver standings and 106 points behind Verstappen, so his chances of winning the title are slim.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins (4)

The Australian says that the situation where he is leading Norris in a McLaren one-two needs to be "spoken about a bit more" but the team "want to avoid the scenario if they can".

"I know that after speaking to Lando and Andrea, nobody wants to see the race dictated by that. That includes Lando himself," he told Sky Sports F1.

"With still a big gap [in the championship], ultimately it's down to the team to decide if that's what we want to do and if the call comes, that's what I will be doing.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins (5)

"But it's not set in stone that I will give up the race, no matter what the circumstances are. There is still some degree of movement and flexibility because, ultimately, we all agree as a team, if someone has done a clearly better job at the weekend, that still deserves to be rewarded.

"If it's Lando, then obviously in my championship position, I won't be doing that. If it was that way, if my team-mate was beating me by 10 seconds, I wouldn't expect that in return.

"I think we are all very aligned on that and ultimately it will be the team's call."

Norris: New McLaren rules give me and team better title chance

Norris has won two races this year, a number which could have been bigger without team or driver errors in some of the Grands Prix before the summer break, and was certainly possible in Monza.

The two championships will largely be dictated on whether Verstappen and Red Bull can improve but Norris is keen for McLaren to take advantage of their better car performance with the new team rules.

"For sure, it will give me a better chance which is the whole reason for doing it. Not just that, there are a lot of times it will benefit the team, so it's not just a sole benefit for me," Norris told Sky Sports F1.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins (7)

"It's just clarity. I think when you're behind the wheel and racing against people, you want clarity on how things you far you push things, how safe you can be, what are the boundaries?

"It's a good thing for me and gives me better chances and good for the team. From a team's point of view, there's still a long way to go and a lot of points that a constructor can score every weekend.

"When you see how quick Ferrari were last time out, Mercedes have two cars, Ferrari have two cars… it's more structure, structure of thought."

Sky Sports F1's live Azerbaijan GP schedule

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins (8)

Friday September 13
7.55am: F2 Practice
10am: Azerbaijan GP Practice One (session starts 10.30am)
11.55am: F2 Qualifying
1.45pm: Azerbaijan GP Practice Two (session starts 2pm)
3.15pm: The F1 Show

Saturday September 14
9.15am: Azerbaijan GP Practice Three (session starts 9.30am)
11.10am: F2 Sprint
12.15pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up
1pm: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING*
3pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook

Sunday September 15
8.30am: F2 Feature Race
10:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up*
12pm: The AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX*
2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP reaction
3pm: Ted's Notebook

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 leaves mainland Europe for Baku and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership - No contract, cancel anytime

Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins (2024)

FAQs

Lando Norris: McLaren driver says new team rules don't mean Oscar Piastri will give up wins? ›

Lando Norris: I do not expect Oscar Piastri to give up wins but I am grateful McLaren will favour me. Lando Norris says he does not want to be gifted a world championship but is grateful to McLaren and team-mate Oscar Piastri for agreeing to favour him over the remainder of his title pursuit.

Will Oscar Piastri leave McLaren? ›

McLaren Formula 1 team is pleased to announce a multi-year contract extension with Oscar Piastri to the end of 2026, further extending the partnership and cementing his long-term future with the team.

How did Lando Norris become a F1 driver? ›

Lando Norris is a British racing driver born in Bristol on 13 November 1999. As a member of the McLaren junior programme, Norris made his F1 debut in 2019 when he earned a promotion from F2 to partner Carlos Sainz in the team's all-new driver line-up.

How many years has Lando been in McLaren? ›

Hailing from Somerset and after joining McLaren in 2016 and with a remarkable rookie season under his belt, he now begins his fifth full season in Formula 1 with McLaren in 2024.

How much is Oscar Piastri getting paid? ›

F1 driver salaries
PosDriverSalary (USD $)
11Daniel Ricciardo 🇦🇺$7m
12Oscar Piastri 🇦🇺$6m
Pierre Gasly 🇫🇷$6m
Esteban Ocon 🇫🇷$6m
17 more rows
Mar 21, 2024

Will Lando Norris stay with McLaren? ›

The latest renewal will see Lando remain with the team beyond the 2025 season, building on his strong six-year relationship with McLaren Racing. Lando enjoyed his most fruitful season to date in 2023, scoring 205 points as he finished sixth in the FIA Formula 1 Drivers' Championship.

Is Lando Norris his real name? ›

Biography. Lando Norris may not be named after Star Wars rebel Lando Calrissian - his Mum just liked the moniker - but he has flair and fighting spirit in bountiful supply. McLaren had the British teenager on their books for two years before fast-tracking him into F1's galaxy of stars in 2019.

Who is the youngest F1 driver? ›

The youngest driver on the F1 grid is Oscar Piastri. The McLaren youngster is one of only three current F1 drivers born in the 2000s, having been born on 6 April 2001, so he is currently 21 years old, and will have turned 22 by the end of the 2023 season.

Has Lando Norris ever won a F1 race? ›

Watch all the key moments from Lando Norris' triumph in free-to-view highlights of the Miami Grand Prix. Lando Norris claimed the first victory of his Formula 1 career in his 110th race as he took full advantage of a timely Safety Car and then emphatically pulled away from Max Verstappen to win the Miami Grand Prix.

Where is Lando Norris going in 2025? ›

The in-form duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will both remain at McLaren, as will Aston Martin's two drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. George Russell will also continue his stay at Mercedes as he waits to learn the identity of his new team-mate.

Can Lando Norris speak Dutch? ›

Norris holds both British and Belgian citizenship, and speaks a small amount of Flemish Dutch.

How much is Lando Norris' family worth? ›

With a personal fortune estimated at £205 million, Norris encourages his son to dream as big as he still does. The family is said to have put in £100 million into start-up companies through Horatio Investments.

Where is Oscar Piastri going? ›

Following a contract dispute with Alpine, Piastri signed with McLaren for the 2023 Formula One season.

Why did Oscar Piastri move to McLaren? ›

The 22-year-old won the championship in F3 and F2, both at the first time of asking – only George Russell and Charles Leclerc have previously achieved such a feat. He then turned down the chance to race for Alpine in 2023 in favour of joining McLaren – Piastri feeling more love and support from the papaya team.

Who is the new driver for McLaren? ›

McLaren will now prioritise Lando Norris over team-mate Oscar Piastri in a bid to overturn Max Verstappen's 2024 Formula 1 drivers' championship lead.

How rich is Oscar Piastri? ›

Oscar Piastri has accumulated a healthy sum for himself as a 23-year-old, with an estimated net worth sitting around $4 million (£3.16 million). Most of his wealth comes from his salary from McLaren which paid the driver $775,000 (£607, 336) in his first season and has been bumped up to £4.71m this coming season.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5911

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.